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EPA cites pesticide producer for failing to register Oakland facility

SAN FRANCISCO -- Last Friday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Nalco Company $4,400 for allegedly failing to register its Oakland, Calif. facility with the EPA prior to producing pesticides, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

"Companies producing pesticides must register their facilities with the EPA," says Enrique Manzanilla, director of EPA's Cross Media Division. "Without this registration, we cannot ensure that these companies are complying with the federal law, which could result in harm to public health and the environment."

Nalco, which is based in the Chicago area, produces pesticides that are used by industry to prevent the growth of algae and mold in products such as paper and adhesives.

The EPA requires that companies producing pesticides register their facility with the agency. Facilities must submit information on the types and amounts of pesticides produced and the amount sold or distributed. The agency uses this information to track pesticides produced nationwide and to ensure that these facilities are operating in compliance with the federal law.

The EPA discovered the violation after the company submitted late reports to the agency indicating the facility was producing pesticides.